Château Lynch-Bages 2023

Discreet, deep, dark, stony, smoky, cool, noble; on the palate, densely built, powerful, taut, masses of tannins, plenty of breed, impressive length, mineral finish. A top Lynch-Bages, built for a small eternity.

Weighty and ripe, but high-toned and sharp, a real push-pull of tannins, concentrated fruit and acidity. Feels very complete, not necessarily all in harmony right now; this is quite intense, but there’s a statuesque element which is impressive. Both rich and cool with liquorice, graphite, plum, cherry and cranberry. Layers of freshness and a real sense of classicism make you want to go back for more. Leaner and more streamlined than 2022, this is focused and there is bite and edge to the tannins that will settle, but this is very good. 65% grand vin, 25% second wine, 10% third wine. 6% press wine. 2% Petit Verdot completes the blend.

Flowers, tobacco, spices, blackberries, currants, espresso, and herbs, with additional notes of mint, make up the aromatic profile. The palate is full, deep, long, and chewy, delivering the essence of Pauillac with every sniff, swirl, and sip. The long finish packs a spicy, peppery, currant, and savory-herb punch, with a strong beginning, middle, and end. The wine blends 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2030-2065.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, brightening on the rim. A hint of mint, dark cherries, some cassis, inviting, very typical bouquet. Juicy, complex, ripe dark forest berries, vivid, ripe tannins, fine fruit expression, some nougat, complex style, shows length and certain ageing potential.

Concentrated, intense and muscular, not a word that I have used very often in 2023 Bordeaux. You get a deeply rooted tannic grip, with soot, squid ink, cassis, blackberry, bilberry, liquorice root, slate scrap, pumice stone and mint. Lynch Bages seems to be wrought from a different place than it was a decade ago, an impressive, powerful Pauillac with an eye on long ageing. 75% new oak, Jean-Charles Cazes owner, Nicolas Labenne technical director.

Score: 94–96. A nose full of charm and delicate floral scents (iris, violet) along with blackberry and stewed plum, lifted by sweet spices, for a sensual yet restrained bouquet. The palate, echoing the floral aromas of the nose, is dense, taut, aromatic, structured by a lively acidity and agile, grainy, gripping tannins. A hedonistic and refined wine that invites contemplation.

A lovely fresh, fruity, floral, aromatic nose with good definition and precision, a pretty graphite touch, and an airy, textured feel. It reveals notes of bright black cherry, violet and, more subtly, cornflower and blackberry, with hints of juicy-roasted red berries, as well as touches of Bourbon vanilla, Penjab pepper, cherry blossom, and clove/fresh spices. The palate is fruity, mineral, and offers accuracy, tension, and juiciness. It shows notes of juicy/fleshy blackberry, cornflower and, more lightly, vibrant/fleshy red fruits, with nuances of lily, chocolate, tonka bean, as well as hints of gravel, juicy-roasted red berries, wild strawberry, sage, thyme flowers, sweet spices, toast, chocolate, and cardamom. The tannins are finely firm yet polished. Good length with a fine chew on the finish/persistence. Silky and straight, brightness and precision, energy.

This extracts a bit more from the vintage, with a supple plum skin note wrapped around flavors of dark cherry and black currant preserves. Charcoal, ink and roasted apple wood add depth and drive as the fruit pumps through the finish. Muscular for the vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2028 through 2043.